The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced major changes to the selection committee, confirming the inclusion of former captains Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed on the panel.
The updated four-member committee now features Misbah, Sarfaraz, former fast bowler Aqib Javed, and former test cricketer batter Asad Shafiq following the resignation of former elite umpire Aleem Dar.
Dar’s departure comes after a brief tenure as selector, having joined the committee on October 11, 2024, and reportedly stems from internal disagreements during recent squad selection discussions.
Sources familiar with the matter suggested Dar, a multiple-time ICC Umpire of the Year, felt sidelined in decision-making processes, growing frustrated with dynamics during selection meetings that often left his input unheeded.
The former umpire reportedly opposed the inclusion of Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, and Usman Khan in Pakistan’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, citing concerns over squad balance and selection fairness.
Dar is understood to have strongly advocated for wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, arguing that players experiencing inconsistent form elsewhere deserved the same support and opportunities if management was willing to retain others.
Earlier this week, reports emerged that the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to appoint Sarfaraz Ahmed as the new head coach of the national Test team, ending a period of uncertainty.
Media sources indicate that an official PCB announcement is expected soon, with Sarfaraz likely to commence his responsibilities during the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.
